Welders?

[Ceezer]

Any suggestions for my first welder? I've been wanting one to play around with for years, but now I actually need one so I've been looking around a bit online. I won't be doing anything heavy duty (that I know of). Just some automotive work (floor pans, body work, etc) and toying around (aluminum shelving, etc), so I'm looking at the MIGs. I like the ability of gas to control the heat. Does flux core have any real utility? How costly is the gas?

Any recommendations on brands? I've already been told by my cousin to avoid the Harbor Freight welders.

My old man is reputed as the best welder from Pittsburg to Louisville. Unfortunately, in my 32 years, I never took the time to learn from him...

 

[mmack66]

Miller. MIG. 220v.

 

[Ceezer]

Ah, I was hoping you wouldn't say that... I have no 220V service in my garage. In fact, I only have 3 outlets in my garage all together, 2 of them being on the ceiling by the garage door openers. I've been wanting to rewire the garage but have been putting it off for some time as I have a pile of other projects ahead of it that need to be completed (before the garage, per the wife; she nearly took my head off last week because I bought a shed when we've been needing new kitchen flooring).

But if I'd be better off buying a 220V welder the first time, then I'll just have to wait a little longer.

 

[tsv]

I use my brother's Lincoln 110 V MIG quite a bit and like it. He has the gas attachment. I've welded body panels and broken lawn mower parts. I don't think I would use it for anything really heavy where I need a lot of penetration.

 

[mulepackin]

I would stick with either Miller, Lincoln, or Hobart (which are actually owned by Miller now). All proven brands with readily available consumables and parts. That being said, given your limitation of 110 power, I would go with the largest 110 unit you can afford (which is really only about one model per brand) Like a Millermatic 140. The only real utility I see in flux core wire is for when you would have to weld outside, in windy conditions that you can't shield against. Wind will blow your gas away and give a less than satisfactory weld and welding condition. Its not a bad idea to keep a roll of flux core on hand for those conditions.

 

[BytesU]

miller. Mig. 220v.

+1

 

[jadam318]

I would stick with either Miller, Lincoln, or Hobart (which actually owned by Hobart now). All proven brands with readily available consumables and parts. That being said, given your limitation of 110 power, I would go with the largest 110 unit you can afford (which is really only about one model per brand) Like a Millermatic 140. The only real utility I see in flux core wire is for when you would have to weld outside, in windy conditions that you can't shield against. Wind will blow your gas away and give a less than satisfactory weld and welding condition. Its not a bad idea to keep a roll of flux core on hand for those conditions.

Huge +1, and in that order (Miller, Lincoln, Hobart)

Your comment about welding aluminum should be addressed as well. You may already know this, but most wire feed MIG welders will not weld aluminum. The problem is feeding the aluminum welding wire through the long cord. Lincoln has a solution for this, and it comes in the form of a different handle that you attach to the existing cord. A small spool of aluminum wire is held in the handle itself. They sell the attachment to fit their 110V welders. I don't know if Miller and/or Hobart have something similar, but I would suspect that they do.

Also, you can do a lot more with a good 110V welder than you may think. For body work and home use I think it would suffice. An alternative that I've seen done, however, is to splice a long enough 220V wire to reach into your house and plug in where your clothes dryer does. I haven't tried this myself, but guys (more than just one) I would trust with my life have suggested it to me.

Good luck, and don't go trying to weld on your car frame until you get some solid practice .

 

[jadam318]

Another good thing about flux core it that if you can't afford to get set up with gas right away you can use flux core until you can. May be an option to get you welding quicker.

 

[homebrewer]

I am also beginning to shop around for a welder, so that I can begin the body work on my Packard...

From people in the know, I have also heard excellent things about both Lincoln and Miller. As long as you aren't doing anything heavy duty (i.e. frame work on any cars) the 110V should suffice.

I'll be following this thread, but as you mentioned in your original post, you are wise to avoid Harbor Freight. Before I had received that advice, I bought a 3 axis mill from them... Shortly later I found out the hard way that the gears connecting the motor to the spindle were plastic.... on a mill designed to machine metal. After that experience, I'm not even sure if I would by screw drivers there.... Zip-ties maybe, anything electrical... not a chance.

 

[Ceezer]

Thanks, folks. I think, considering my needs and restrictions, I'll just go with a 110V MIG for the time being. Then down the road, once I've rewired my garage/shop, I'll add a 220V arc welder to the lineup for heavier duty jobs.